Urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chronic urticaria is a common clinical condition whose etiology, in about 75% of cases, is unknown and is therefore called chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). A link between CIU and autoimmune thyroid diseases was proposed several decades ago. Here we review this topic.

SUMMARY:

Several studies have been performed to determine if and to what degree there is an association between CIU and autoimmune thyroid diseases, particularly autoimmune thyroiditis. Many of these studies were not well controlled, however. Approximately one-fourth of CIU patients have serological evidence of thyroid autoimmunity, suggesting that these two disorders are associated. The mechanisms for the apparent association between CIU and serological evidence of thyroid autoimmunity are not clear. There are no data regarding the correlations between CIU and histological features of autoimmune thyroiditis or hypothyroidism. Despite this, there are anecdotal reports regarding L-thyroxine administration in patients with CIU.

CONCLUSIONS:

Screening for thyroid autoimmunity is probably useful in patients with CIU. More solid evidence, based on still lacking well-conducted controlled studies, is desirable to determine if there is a therapeutic role for L-thyroxine treatment in ameliorating the skin manifestations of urticaria.

• Authors: Marcello Bagnasco, Paola L Minciullo, Giovanna S Saraceno, Sebastiano Gangemi, Salvatore Benvenga
• Journal: Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association (Thyroid) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 401-10 (Apr 2011) ISSN: 1557-9077 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21323598 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Thyroxine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Autoimmunity (immunology)
• Child
• Graves Disease (immunology)
• Hashimoto Disease (immunology)
• Helicobacter Infections (complications, immunology)
• Humans
• Hypothyroidism (complications)
• Thyroid Gland (immunology)
• Thyroiditis, Autoimmune (complications)
• Thyroxine (therapeutic use)
• Urticaria (complications, drug therapy, etiology)